Tag: CMS

Assisted Living

Post-Acute Outlook Post Debt Ceiling, Post Medicare Rate Adjustments, Etc.

OK, the title is a bit wordy and trust me, I could have included more “posts” but I think I got the point across. First, I’ll admit to having a crystal ball however, the picture…

Policy and Politics - Federal

CMS Announces Medicare SNF Cuts: The Implication

On Friday, CMS released its Final Rule regarding FY 2012 SNF PPS reimbursement. The Final Rule implements a reduction or “cut” in SNF PPS payments equal to 11.1% or $3.87 billion. The 11.1% reduction is…

Hospice

OIG on Hospice: Restructure Hospice Payments for SNF Residents

This past week, the OIG released a report that represents a more definitive study of hospice payments and utilization trends under Medicare. The report is effectively a follow-up to recommendations made in MedPac’s annual report(s)…

Policy and Politics - Federal

Medicare SNF Cuts: Fact, Fiction, Probability

In early May, CMS released its proposed rule for FY 2012 concerning Medicare PPS reimbursement for SNFs. As most followers of the industry from investors, to operators to developers know by now, CMS dropped a…

Hospice

Accountable Care Organizations: A Post-Acute Perspective

Suffice to say, I am behind in getting this post “out”. My best intentions of a month or so ago were quickly dashed by other more pressing commitments. Nonetheless, I did read the proposed regulations…

Uncategorized

CMS, Proposed ACO Regulations and a Post-Acute Analysis

Late last week, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) issued the proposed regulations for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). As is typical with CMS and all things PPACA related, the document is nearly 500 pages….

Policy and Politics - Federal

MedPac Report to Congress: 2012 Recommendations

MedPac (Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) just released its March report to the Congress on Medicare program and rate recommendations for the FY 2012 (beginning October 1, 2011). The full report is available in PDF form…

Policy and Politics - Federal

The Unraveling of the PPACA

OK readers and requesters, I haven’t gone, as Robert Frost wrote, into the “woods lovely, dark and deep” but I have been preoccupied by work and things familial. Sadly, energy wanes as one focuses intently…

Policy and Politics - Federal

RUGs IV Here to Stay!

The news we all hoped for came forth this afternoon, wrapped with a big bow just in time for the Holiday season – RUGs IV is here to stay. The House this afternoon passed a…

Policy and Politics - Federal

MDS 3.0, RUGs IV, RUGs III, Hybrid: A 45 Day Review

Forty- five days past the October 1 conversion to MDS 3.0 and the interim RUGS IV payment groups and I still am getting a great deal of requests for analysis tools, questions on payments, liabilities,…

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Reg

Healthcare executive, consultant, and author covering post-acute care, senior living, and the economics behind both - for 30+ years.

The Weekly Briffing

No noise - just what changed in healthcare policy and economics, and why it matters to your operation.